olfaction

/ɒlˈfæk.ʃən/ (bre, ipa) · /ɑːlˈfæk.ʃən/ (ame, ipa) · /äl-ˈfak-shən ōl-/ (ame, mw)

olfaction — noun

1. the body's use of smell to notice and identify scents in the air

1.名詞C2
釋義

the body's use of smell to notice and identify scents in the air

例句

Dogs rely on olfaction when they track a missing hiker in the forest.

rely on + olfaction

Doctors tested Hana's olfaction after the kitchen fire filled her house with smoke.

test + someone's olfaction

同義詞
  • sense of smell

    the everyday phrase for this ability; much less technical than 'olfaction'

  • smell

    can name this sense in general use, but it can also mean an odor itself

文法句型

olfaction in + people/animals

test + someone's olfaction

rely on + olfaction

用法筆記

Usually an uncountable technical noun in biology or medicine. In everyday English, speakers more often say 'sense of smell' or simply 'smell'.

常見錯誤

❌I olfactioned smoke in the hallway.
✅I smelled smoke in the hallway.
💡'olfaction' is a noun, so use the verb 'smell' for the action.
❌My olfaction can smell gas.
✅My sense of smell can detect gas.
💡'olfaction' names the sensory ability itself, not the person or body part that performs the action.